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“TWO REDS” AT THE MILANO TARANTO - 2013

After the exciting adventures toNordkapp in year 2010 and the crossing Coast to Coast of yhe US in 2011, Giorgio and I decide to bring two our red Moto Guzzi to the Milano Taranto race, which the two our ”reds” are historically connected to.

The Italian red racing color was established in the twenties by International Automobile Federation to identify the Italian racing cars. In this context, in Europe, British cars were green painted, French blue and  Germans silver. In Italy the red color is then commonly adopted for cars by  Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Fiat, Abarth and so on and for bikes by Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Ducati and so on. To day the term “two reds” means the two racing Ferrari of the World Championship and also something else: the two Moto Guzzi owned by Giorgio and I.

Up to here nothing peculiar, with the exception of the two stories that connect our two bikes to this race, one among the longest races on the road in the world.  In particular, I realize, after my purchasing, that my 1957 Moto Guzzi  Falcone Sport presents some non conventional, but aging, components. After some researches I discover that the racer Giorgio Paciocca, who won already the 1954 Milano Taranto with a Moto Guzzi Airone Sport, bought this bike directly to the Moto Guzzi. He elaborated this Falcone with some peculiar components, like  more capable fuel tank, handlebar, gas control, new saddle position, crash bar, silencer and so on, in order to participate to the 1957 Milano Taranto, then cancelled for new security rules. This “big red bird” is sold to various owners and it continues to race, but it remains with the desire to participate to the Milano Taranto, the race it was bought for. From my fellow side, Giorgio buys a rare 1937 Moto Guzzi GTC, that participated to the race in year 1938, with the time of 15 hours and 58 minutes. After 75 years, also the Giorgio GTC desires to run again the Milano Taranto with its new biker.

1. •The desires of the “two reds” are warmly received and finally Giorgio and I are present, as howls, at the night start of the Milano Taranto. The six daily legs of the race develop regularly, offering me unforgettable landscapes, roads well dimensioned for vintage bikes and very nice socialization among all the participants. The two old ladies behave very well and, thank to their reliability, are ready on time at each time check. Finally in Taranto, Giorgio and I make our best congratulations to our bikes, for their efficiency and affordability. Also the “two reds” are happy: GTC for having participated for the second time to the race after 75 years and Falcone Sport for having raced for the first time, after 65 years, to the race, which it was bought for.
   

SOME CONSIDERATIONS

1. •whether conditions came out to be very favorable, a part two afternoons characterized by very heavy thunderstorm rain.
   

2. •among the historic bike before 1957, quite a few were really superb;
   

3. •no malfunctions experienced during all the 2.000 kilometers of the race;
   

4. •physical engagement, required to run the six legs of the race, among which the first completely night time, was considerable;
   

5. •race organization and logistic support were exceptional;
   

6. •very nice experience to address to all vintage bike enthusiasts.
   

SOME SENTENCES

As some time happens, the event gives me the opportunity to collect some sentences as follows:

My big red bird

Falcon, as animal, is without any doubt, a big raptorial bird and, as bike, wears its classical red color. Once, in order to invite a Lady to see my bike, I says her: Nice Lady, would you like to come and see my big red bird!

Bike is always available and never speaks

Bike, among which vintage one, is always ready to give you wonderful emotions and does not have the disadvantage to speak.

Bike is ready to be cuddle without telling you what to do

You must cuddle your bike in order to allow her to give you her generous performances and she, without asking anything, never tells you what you have to do.

i miei viaggi
my trips